The Spurs had just a one-point lead when Manu Ginobili found him with the pass that OKC’s Russell Westbrook tried to swipe at and missed. Westbrook went around and underneath the play and took another swing at the ball and missed again down low. Duncan then rose up, let go with the turnaround over the outstretched arms of Reggie Jackson, but not before Westbrook took one more try and fanned one more time. The ball bounced off the front rim, kissed off the backboard and fell into the net.

The Spurs did it down the stretch without their starting point guard and best player Tony Parker, who was sidelined at halftime with a sore left ankle.

The Spurs did it against a Thunder team that probably had the two best individual talents in the series in Westbrook and Kevin Durant.

The Spurs did it with balance and patience and poise and trust and with a few of the usual tricks from Old Man Riverwalk, who at 38, is still pulling out those tried-and-true basic moves that keep working in every lunchtime game in every YMCA from sea-to-head-faking sea.

Duncan was 2-for-2 in the overtime with a pair of rebounds and scored the seven consecutive points that ultimately lifted the Spurs to the 112-107 victory over the Thunder and the Western Conference title.

As he’s done so often for 17 NBA seasons, Duncan was there to make the plays and do the heavy lifting at the end, which was particularly poignant in a year when the Spurs carried their burden.

“We just had a weird year,” Duncan said. “We were pressing hard early on and grinding on each other, just because of what happened last year.

“We were able to settle ourselves down. We played with a bunch of different lineups all year long. We had guys ready to play and it’s shown throughout these playoffs where guys just step up and step in and are ready.

“I’m proud of the team for just being ready, just not letting that weigh on us and using it as an excuse for anything. We’re back here now and we want to get it done this time.”

When the Thunder had used their young legs and a wave of youthful enthusiasm to win two straight games on their home court to tie the series, there was some thought that the Spurs were finally ready to pass into history.

Instead Duncan kept right on making it by hitting 14 of 27 shots, scoring 41 points and grabbing 27 rebounds in the last two games to keep the door closed on what is supposed to have been the ushering in of the Thunder Era.

“You know that he might be struggling one game or missing a few shots,” Ginobili said. “But he’s there and the opponent has got to respect him. He’s always ready with a solution down the stretch.”

As ready as he has been for nearly two decades in the league. As primed for this moment as since the last second that ticked off the clock last June in Miami.

“It’s unbelievable to regain that focus after exactly that, that devastating loss we had last year,” Duncan said. “But we’re back here and we’re excited about it and we’ve got four more to win. We’ll do it this time.”

@ Kalbo!!…lol only sore losers make excuses and say “lucky”. We could say Spurs choked, right? I’m sure you and some other people would have said that if the Heat lost. I can name a few reasons why the Spurs lost….one of them is missing key free throws to ice the game at clutch time. Sorry bro, but Spurs had that game won, but fumbled it at the end….it was theirs to lose. So just go ahead and swallow that pill.

We shall see. If the Spurs win…it is what it is. They obviously were the better team if they win. You won’t see me up on here making excuses if the Heat lose……nah, I’m not like most NBA fans. If the Spurs when you will see me show nothing but the upmost respect for the Spurs and a Congrats. That is a promise.

Before Kome fan boys rip me like a cleanlady and before lebronze fan boys falling like his hairline. Let me tell you all something.

Lebronze should never compare to MJ. Their style wasn’t even the same. I think Lebronze is more like Magic but faster, stronger. Awful dribble skills and never a high percentage mid-range shooter.

Kome on the other hand should compare to MJ as he copy all MJ set skills. Why would we want to idol a copycat when we have Jordan? If you like Elvis’s song, would you like to listen to a cover or the original?

All in all, Jordan is well Jordan, so does Kome and Lebronze. Enjoy the ride fellas.

I don’t care how you diminish either team or talk about how easy the road was or what your prediction for the series will be, or whatever other slander you can think of. Just enjoy the game. We are all about to witness one of the greatest finals ever.

Arguably the greatest power forward to ever play the game versus arguably the greatest small forward to play the game.

The Spurs are trying to claim consistent legendary dominance for over a decade, while the Heat are trying to immortalize their current remarkable dynasty.

And while the stars might claim all the headlines, both of these teams have capable benches that will influence the series every game. May the greatest win..

they say the big money is made on the rematch. How come nobody talks about the spars making an easy trip to the finals last year.This years the trip to the finals was fairly easy for the spars and the heat.

To pakyaw @ 1. Kobe has to learn nothing anymore after 5 rings in the past. 2.What’s wrong with copy jordan game- style ,everybody who play’d the game during the jordan era try’d to do it on court because it works.
3.What kind of gamestyle LEFAKE has? some Dunking,shooting ,alley-oops,running people over,flopping at best,whinning all the time to the ref’s,and at last he’s the best with taking extra steps in a scoring atempt ( travelling ).
Pakyaw just continue looking roosterfights in the Filipino’s there, that’s better for you instead trying to bandwagoning the Cheat!

East was deplorable, and HEAT would not have made it out of the west.
THen the refs ……what is happening there? Used to be that the game was played by basketball players. Now “Superstars” like LeBron get all the help they need…..

Spur well play throughout this series….
Win or Defeat they learn, adsorb and evolve to become better and better…
TP may be injure but they play a different game plan with different set of players on the court…
For the final …. Well the series starts without TP may be better .. let TP rest n fully gear up for the rest of the games…

The teams in the East needs to beef up or else Miami may well get to the final every year until LBJ n rest of gangs retire..

Kawhi Leonard block of Russell Westbrook is one of the best plays of game 6 that helped the Spurs won the game in addition to Tim Duncan crucial shots in the play. Please credit the player like Kawhi Leonard and Boris Diaw who were great in game 6 and hopefully Kawhi Leonard will shine more in the Finals with his great work ethics. Go Kawhi Leonard, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tiago Splitter, Boris Diaw, Patty Mills, Marco Belinelli, etc. let’s go and win the NBA Finals Larry O’Brien Gold Trophy! Thank you Lord.

…yes indeed, an incredible block/steal…… maybe the play of the game. Also loved his running one hand slam over the fast-healer bouncing the ball off his buns…..perfect posterization of someone who enjoys doing it to others. The difference being Leonard just turned around and got back on defense……whereas Ibaka would have been screaming or pointing to the ceiling …….lol…..

So tired of the heat hate. The Heat were formed to combat the mighty Boston Celtics at the time, which all the West lovers seem to conveniently forget. Chicago would still be a beast if they had a healthy D Rose. And Pacers are still a great team.

In other words, too bad the Spurs had to exert superhuman effort to get past OKC, and will once again be tired out for their series against the Heat, who will be well rested after a cakewalk through the Eastern Conference finals.

Diaw is a bonus for us. Kawhi is a mistake-cleaner and hard fighter…Manu is being Manu always on edges but this was one shy to perfect series and a surpriser for the playoffs…TP needs a rest…He is a logo PG for us..He is so so worthy and must be ready for finals…Pop ..You were as calmy as ever, planistic, cycler, determined and patient…And nothing to say about TD…His my ultimate love and hero:)…Hope he will do it this time…Congrats Spurs fans and the city…Believe in and GO SPURS GO!!!
Regards from İstanbul al America:)))

Not a hater, it’s just a matter of fact. If the Heat and 1 western contender swap places, that western contender would’ve represented the East in the finals all these years. While the Heat has to face strong teams with different styles every round. Shoot-outs vs the Warriors, grinding against the Grizzlies and those 2 are the lower seeds. The Heats’ lack of depth means they will be battered by the time they reach the Finals, if they do.